Natural Gas

Natural gas which is one of the oil derivatives is a gas lighter than air, inflammable, colourless and odourless. It consists of various hydrocarbons like methane (CH4) and ethane (C2H6). Gas reserves are located underground usually together with oil as associate gas. They can also be extracted from non-associated gas fields. Natural gas can be used without refining and is transported by pipelines or by vessels in liquid form after being liquefied.

As of the end of 2017, our natural gas consumption was 53,5 billion m3.

According to the studies on the natural gas supply-demand balances, there is no problem concerning the meeting of the annual natural gas demand. However, during the winter months, when demand is high, the fall of temperatures to levels below seasonal norms, and as a result the rise of consumption to maximum levels, and any faults in the source countries or countries en-route during the same period, can lead to periodic imbalances between supply and demand. Within this framework, the Silivri, Kuzey Marmara and Değirmenköy Natural Gas Storage Facility, which has a working gas capacity of 2,84 bcm, was taken over by BOTAŞ in order to be used effectively for ensuring seasonal supply- demand balance and supply security. Within the scope of Kuzey Marmara Natural Gas Storage Expansion Project, developed by the reason of increasing the capacity of related facility, it’s planned to increase total storage capacity to 4,6 bcm and withdrawal capacity to 75 mcm/day.

The first Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) of Turkey is invested by the private sector in Aliağa/İzmir on so as to achieve supply security and diversification of gas sources. In Hatay/Dortyol the second FSRU of Turkey has been opened. Moreover, studies for the connection of FSRU to natural gas transmission system in Saros Gulfs are continuing by BOTAS.

Turkey puts excessive emphasis and priority in domestic oil and natural gas exploration and production activities. Projects developed for transporting gas to be produced in the neighbouring regions to Europe through Turkey have always been supported for their strategic importance. Our strategy to become a gas trading hub in the region at the medium and long term is insistently maintained.

The details presented here have been prepared with the aim of informing the users of the website of our Ministry, and do not possess the characteristics of official binding documents.